Port of Southampton
Southampton is the UK's biggest cruise port — headquarters of Cunard (Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Anne) + P&O Cruises. Also handles Princess + Royal Caribbean transatlantic + Northern Europe sailings. 90 minutes from London Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW) by direct coach. Southampton has its own airport (SOU) with limited service.
How to get here from the airport
London Heathrow Airport
LHRRecommendedTransit options: National Express coach direct £25-40 · Uber £120-180 · Rail via Woking (3h) · Cruise line shuttle £45-70
National Express direct LHR-Southampton coach is the standard — 90 min, £25-40.
London Gatwick Airport
LGWRecommendedTransit options: National Express coach £30-45 · Rail 2h · Uber £150-200
Similar journey time as LHR via coach.
Southampton Airport
SOUTransit options: Taxi £15-25 · Rail Airport Parkway → Southampton Central
Local airport with limited service — good if flight route works.
Cruise lines + terminals
Pre-cruise tips for Southampton
- 1Fly into LHR/LGW 2-3 days early to experience London.
- 2National Express LHR-Southampton coach direct, £25-40, 90 min — the standard option.
- 3Southampton has 4 cruise terminals — check ticket. Ocean Terminal (Cunard) is closest to city centre.
- 4Cunard offers rail-cruise packages via First Great Western.
- 5P&O offers coach transfers from London airports.
Where to stay pre-cruise
Find hotels in Southampton
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